This month, we’re proud to highlight a group of ReEmployAbility team members who came together to serve our local community through Feeding Tampa Bay’s Mobile Pantry at Lockhart Magnet School. Lindsey Bressi, Jamal Murray, Jordan McDaniel, Jose Valero, and Angela Fulgieri volunteered their time to help distribute nutritious food to families facing food insecurity right here in our community.
Feeding Tampa Bay’s mission, to change lives one meal at a time by leading the community in the fight against hunger, was on full display throughout the day. Their mobile pantry distributions are designed to meet people where they are by providing food through both drive-through and walk‑up access points while maintaining dignity, efficiency, and compassion.
Working Together to Serve the Community
Our team worked side by side to set up and manage multiple distribution stations, organizing fresh produce, dairy items, frozen meats, bakery goods, and shelf-stable products. Once the pantry opened, volunteers served two cars at a time, carefully loading groceries based on household size.
Over the course of just two hours, the team helped serve 156 households—a powerful reminder of both the scale of need and the impact that coordinated community action can have.
Jamal helped with setting up and loading vehicles, noting how meaningful it was to witness the gratitude of those being served. “The smiles on the children’s faces while loading their cars really stayed with me,” he shared. “Knowing we were able to help families who truly need assistance is something I’ll carry with me for a long time.”
Jordan assisted with unloading pallets and managing bakery items, arriving early to see a long line of cars already waiting nearly an hour and a half before distribution began. While initially worried there might not be enough food, she quickly saw the strength of Feeding Tampa Bay’s operations in action. “By the end, we were passing out multiple bread items to each family because the goal was simple: give everything away so nothing went to waste.”
Connection, Empathy, and Immediate Impact
Angela supported walk‑up guests, registering individuals and assisting those who needed extra help carrying or loading their items. One of the most impactful moments for her was speaking directly with the people being served—many of whom arrived straight from work, still in uniform.
“It was eye-opening to see how many hardworking people are still struggling to meet basic needs,” she reflected. “Every single person we served expressed gratitude. For me, it reinforced the importance of empathy and served as a powerful reminder that behind every situation is a real person facing challenges.”
Lindsey, who previously worked in Volunteer Services at Feeding Tampa Bay, coordinated the volunteer opportunity and has long been connected to the organization’s mission. For her, sharing this experience with colleagues made it especially meaningful.
“What I love about mobile pantry distributions is the direct point of connection,” Lindsey explained. “Whether it’s a quick thank-you, a smile, or exchanging recipes, those moments matter. Seeing our team come together for a mission so close to my heart was incredibly rewarding.”
Inspiring Service Beyond the Day
Throughout the event, volunteers saw firsthand how complex food distribution can be—making real-time decisions to ensure fairness, stretch limited resources, and reach as many families as possible. As the day progressed, volunteers adjusted quantities to avoid shortages early on while later ensuring no food went to waste.
Each participant walked away with a deeper understanding of food insecurity in our region and a renewed appreciation for organizations like Feeding Tampa Bay, which serves nearly 1 million people annually across West Central Florida with the support of thousands of volunteers and hundreds of community partners.
When asked what advice they’d give to someone considering volunteering, a common theme emerged: start with heart and show up.
“Choose to serve with your heart,” Jamal shared. “The situation someone else is in could just as easily be yours one day.”
Jordan added, “Being kind, smiling, and acknowledging people can truly change someone’s day.”
Beyond serving the community, the experience also strengthened internal connections. Volunteering alongside colleagues from different departments gave the team a chance to connect outside of daily roles, united by a shared desire to do good.
As Jamal put it, “I’ve never worked for an employer as invested in the community as ReEmployAbility. That commitment makes me proud to be part of this company.”
To learn more about Feeding Tampa Bay or sign up to volunteer, visit https://feedingtampabay.org/.